Hello Church Family,
Don’t you just love how Marjie Setser begins her announcements with “Hello Church Family!!”? I certainly do!
The last time Steve and I were on Table Time together we spoke about 7 of the Scripture Promises that Jesus left us. I shared that my learning ability couldn’t adequately process them in a 7-day period … hoping to help others to persevere that may have slower learning styles. Remember the “tortoise and the hare?” Well, I am the tortoise in my learning style … and Steve’s learning is more like the hare!
Just now these 7 verses have been sown into the fiber of my being and I’d like to share how Jesus spoke them to me personally.
From John 14:23-24, Jesus says to me:
Because my Father first loved you, and drew you close for Redemption, you love Me and obey My teaching.
We have come to you and we have made our home in you.
These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
From John 14:26, Jesus says to me:
The Counselor, The Holy Spirit, Whom The Father sent in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
From John 15:5, Jesus says to me:
I am the Vine, you are a branch. Because you live in Me and I live in you, We will bear much fruit For apart from Me … you can do nothing.
From John 15:7, Jesus says to me:
Because you have made your home in Me and My Words and Character are at home in you, Ask what We desire and It shall be done for US!
From John 15:10, Jesus says to me:
Because you obey My Word, You remain in My Agape, just as I obey The Father and remain in His Agape.
From John 16:14, Jesus says to me:
The Holy Spirit glorifies Me by taking from what is Mine and Making it known to you.
From John 16:33, Jesus says to me:
I have told you these things, So that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!
Through these Scripture Promises I have become more aware of our Divine Partnership with The Shepherd of our souls, the fellowship of The Indwelling Holy Spirit and The Heavenly Father who chose us to be a part of His Family. There has also been new understanding that spending more time encountering our Triune God through the Word produces its own reward.
And what is that reward? A greater perception, recognition, and understanding of the Wonders of God’s Personhood … progressively, deeply, intimately.
He is our reward. Our everlasting-now-through-eternity Reward.
Who could ask for more?